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Donation Tools 8 min read

Best Donation Platforms for Small Churches

Online giving should be simple for the giver and clear for your treasurer. We compare five trusted options by how church-friendly they are, how easy recurring gifts are, and what they cost.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this site may be affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through those links, at no extra cost to you. Our recommendations are based on practical usefulness, stated features, affordability, and ease of use.

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At-a-glance comparison

OptionChurch friendlinessDonor easeRecurring givingFeesSetup difficultyReports
PayPal Giving FundGoodVery easyLimitedLow (often 0% for charities)EasyBasic
Tithe.lyExcellentEasyYes~2.9% + $0.30EasyGood
GivelifyExcellentVery easyYes~2.9% + $0.30Very easyGood
DonorboxVery goodEasyYesPlatform fee + processingEasyVery good
Cash App / PayPal ButtonFairVery easyManualStandard processingVery easyBasic

The options, side by side

PayPal Giving Fund

Best for Lowest fees

Pros

  • Very low or no fees for eligible charities
  • Familiar to donors
  • Quick to start

Cons

  • Fewer church-specific tools
  • Eligibility steps required

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Tithe.ly

Best for Churches

Pros

  • Built specifically for churches
  • App, text, and web giving
  • Helpful reporting

Cons

  • Standard processing fees
  • Some features on paid tiers

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Givelify

Best for Simplicity

Pros

  • Famous for a simple giving app
  • Fast donor experience
  • Made for ministries

Cons

  • App-first focus
  • Standard fees apply

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Donorbox

Best for Recurring giving

Pros

  • Excellent recurring-gift tools
  • Embeds on any website
  • Strong donor management

Cons

  • Platform fee on top of processing
  • More options to learn

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Cash App / PayPal Button

Best for Bare-bones start

Pros

  • Almost no setup
  • Donors likely already use it
  • No new accounts to teach

Cons

  • Weak reporting for treasurers
  • Not built for churches

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Our plain-English take

If you want tools made for ministry, Tithe.ly or Givelify are easy and church-friendly. Choose Donorbox when steady recurring gifts matter most, and PayPal Giving Fund when keeping fees as low as possible is the priority.

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